to be excavated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be excavated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is planned or intended to be dug up or removed from the ground, often in the context of archaeology or construction. Example: "The site has been marked for development, and several areas are scheduled to be excavated next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The place cries out to be excavated".

The New York Times

There is meaning to be made, meaning to be excavated.

The Guardian - Books

That allowed the bedrock to be excavated by means ranging from pickax to explosives.

The New York Times

The area around the Jerome Park reservoir would also have to be excavated for connecting tunnels.

The New York Times

These myths have to be excavated and only can be excavated by white people".

The Guardian - Opinion

The crozier is unusual and the first to be excavated in this country for 50 years.

The Guardian

But never enough for it to be excavated in quite the same way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Iranian crude oil unlined storage caverns are to be excavated in Asmari limestone formation.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

Soil masses that need to be excavated, transported and installed can be dramatically reduced.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes

They believe there are four or five other mass graves in the immediate area that have yet to be excavated.

The New York Times

A huge Minoan town surrounding the palace has still to be excavated, but spectacular Roman mosaics were unearthed nearby.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In construction or engineering contexts, "to be excavated" highlights the removal of earth or rock to prepare a site for building.

Common error

Avoid using "to be excavated" when simpler terms like "removed" or "cleared" suffice. "To be excavated" typically implies a methodical and detailed process, not just general removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be excavated" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase, indicating an action that will be performed on a subject. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used. Examples show its usage in describing planned archaeological digs or construction projects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be excavated" is a grammatically sound passive infinitive verb phrase signifying a future action of careful digging or removal, primarily utilized in archaeology, construction, and related fields. Ludwig AI affirms its common usage. Its formality leans towards neutral, yet it thrives in precise, detailed contexts typical of news, scientific, and academic domains. Alternatives include "to be unearthed" or "to be dug up", but the choice hinges on the desired nuance. Avoid using it loosely; reserve it for scenarios where methodical uncovering is genuinely implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be unearthed

Focuses on discovering something hidden, often with historical or archaeological implications.

to be dug up

Emphasizes the physical action of digging to reveal something.

to be uncovered

Highlights the act of removing a covering to expose something.

to be disinterred

Specifically refers to digging up something that was buried, often a body.

to be exhumed

Similar to 'disinterred', specifically referring to the removal of a body from a grave.

to be extracted

Implies carefully removing something from its surroundings.

to be retrieved

Suggests a more general act of recovering something.

to be quarried

Refers to the process of extracting stone or other materials from a quarry.

to be exposed

Emphasizes the act of revealing something that was previously hidden or protected.

to be mined

Indicates the extraction of valuable resources from the earth.

FAQs

How is "to be excavated" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "to be excavated" usually describes something that will be carefully dug up or removed, often in archaeological or construction contexts. For example, "The ancient ruins are scheduled "to be excavated" next year."

What are some alternatives to "to be excavated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to be unearthed", "to be dug up", or "to be uncovered".

Is it always necessary to use "to be excavated" when talking about digging?

No, "to be excavated" implies a careful, methodical process. If you simply mean something is being dug up without that level of detail, use a more general term like "dug up".

In what fields is the phrase "to be excavated" most commonly used?

The phrase "to be excavated" is frequently used in archaeology, construction, and geology to describe sites or materials that are planned for careful removal and study.